How We Helped Design Dementia Care Spaces For Leeds Hospitals Trust

Leeds Hospitals Trust teamed up with Dulux Trade to design a healthcare environment that makes life easier for the people living with dementia.

Creating a design scheme that considers, colour, contrast and texture can make a space feel more stimulating, welcoming and comfortable.

It can also make a space easier to navigate, which plays a big part in helping residents feel less anxious, and in reducing slips, trips and falls.

We spent over six years planning, preparing and completing the project - which saw over 30 wards painted, as well as offices, corridors, and communal areas given a fresh new look.

The Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team selected a colour scheme that would help guide and reassure people living with dementia. For example, camouflaging doorways for staff access-only, or using stronger colour to highlight focal areas, such as toilets and day rooms.

Taking these principles into account, the walls were painted in Dulux Trade Linnet White, the doors in Dulux Trade Grey Flint and the trim in Dulux Trade Goosewing.

Colour blocks were also added in accent stripes using Dulux Trade greens, blues and purples. Our team also made sure the space appealed to the staff working there, as well as any visitors, helping to promote easy recognition of various zones in the more daunting open spaces.

The colour palette and design principles would become a key segment of the Dulux Trade Dementia Friendly Colour Palette and Design Guide, which helps professionals create environments that optimise occupant wellbeing for dementia patients and their families.

And as well as developing a colour scheme ideally suited to this healthcare facility, the team used water-based paints to minimise the impact on both the environment, and the air quality around the wards.

Julian Sharpe, Dulux Decorator Centre 360 Specifier Development Manager said: “We used the Dulux Trade Diamond range for durability, as well as the lower impact on the environment. In the long term it absolutely gives the best value for money. “Empty ward time is critical and projects need to be completed in a timely manner, so fast drying products are ideal and the Diamond range ticks that box, as well being a low odour product which is imperative for this environment.”

David Gibson from Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said: “We’re delighted with the results of this project. The team’s expertise has been instrumental in helping us create stimulating, welcoming and comfortable spaces for all our patients, and particularly the most vulnerable ones living with dementia.”